posted 06-07-2013 11:09 AM            

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The Providence Plantations for Two Hundred and Fifty Years.
By
Welcome Arnold Greene,
Assisted by
Rev. William H. Fish and Robert A. Reid

Providence, R. I.: J. A. & R. A. REID, Publishers and Printers.
1886.

Hamilton & Hamilton , Jr .

The manufacturing jewelry business now represented by Hamilton & Hamilton, Jr., at No. 226 Eddy Street, was established Jan. 1, 1871, by R. S. Hamilton, R. S. Hamilton, Jr., and G. C. Hunt, at No. 30 Potter Street, where they began the manufacture of ladies' jewelry sets, lace pins, and a small line of gentleman's chains. These they made of solid gold. After continuing for about six months in the production of solid goods, they concluded to enlarge their business and make rolled plate chains. This additional industry led to a very large trade and subsequently caused the firm to remove to their present location, where their attention is now almost wholly given to the manufacture of rolled plate chains. In 1882 Mr. Hunt retired from the business and the present firm name was assumed. The factory is divided into four floors, two in the main building and two in the wing. Those in the main building are 80 x 40 feet and those in the wing 55 x 28 feet, giving in all an area of over eight thousand square feet, all of which space is economically arranged and admirably adapted to the accomplishment of the vast amount of work this prominent jewelry firm turn out every year. A complete and thorough system regulates the workings of the factory, and by it are managed the operations of its employed, as well as the mercantile department conducted.

In beginning the review of the manufacture of an article, hesitation arises between the design and the material. One does not know at first thought which should have the precedence, for they are apparently of equal importance. However, a moment's reflection settles the doubt, and the design is given first place because it is the newness, the novelty of an article in these days of competition in fine rolled plate jewelry that will insure a market for the product. The materials are at hand for every manufacturer to fashion good articles of the best quality, and all manufacturing jewelry establishments have facilities for making first-class goods. So from the design — and to the designer must the manufacturer look for the means to make the material especially valuable in the monetary sense — a pleased fancy stimulates the individual to buy. Herein is the secret of the success of this house. Having at hand the materials of which others made jewelry, and the appliances differing in nothing essential from the tools of others, they sought to use the chimerical but marketable nonenities — ideas, — and make the materials the medium that would render visible to the public the idea which was, "maybe, a flash of light, revealing to the inventor's mind the thought embodied in the manufactured article. So obtaining men of originality for designers, they began to put upon the market a great variety of rolled plate chains. Their line comprises more than two thousand different- styles. If this statement is dwelt upon for a moment a conception of the magnitude of the business can be in some measure formed.

To the ordinary observer, a few dozen varieties of chain would excite wonder, and certainly, even to the jeweler, a feeling akin to wonder must arise when he sees spread out before him this line of goods made by this firm, — comprising vest, guard, and neck chains, and chatelaines, bracelet, and eye-glass chains. These goods bear the trade-mark " *H. & H." and those of extra quality are designated by "*H. H. H." The goods made by this firm are known as the " H. & H." brand. The firm do not place design above workmanship and material. In both the latter they exact of their employees the best, so that their goods shall stand in the market claiming superiority in these essentials to a good article, as well as in beauty and originality of design.

The eye-glass chains and bracelet guards are appreciated by the wearers of the ornaments, and also by the unfortunates who are compelled to assist the eyes by using spectacles. Both the bracelets and eye-glasses are liable to fall and be lost or broken, but with these guard chains attached to them, both these probabilities are removed. A specialty of this firm is the patent buckle bracelet. These bracelets are so secured as to leave little probability of their becoming unfastened, and the only way they can be lost is by slipping over the hand. The curb chains made by this house have become well known in the trade, and are made up in a great variety of styles and of excellent workmanship. These chains are made by girls, whose dexterity is astonishing, and the rapidity of their work is almost marvelous. Their skill is a combination of quick sight and rapid fingering, their keenness of perception is needed to discover at a glance the quality of the wire their nimble fingers are speedily, joint by joint, converting into a chain. On all the vest and guard chain, the tapered bar is used. This bar is graceful and highly ornamental.

The factory is divided, in the nomenclature of the firm and employees, into the large shop and small shop — one being in the main building and the latter in the wing. On the lower floor of the former the melting, wire-drawing, polishing, and coloring are attended to, while on the upper floor is carried on the manufacture of chain-bars, gold tips, slides, and ornaments. On the lower floor of the wing the swivel and fine chains are made, while the entire upper floor is set apart for the manufacture of curb chains, and the engraving of the dies, tips, slides, and links.

There has been much written about the jewelry trade and its various processes of manufacture ; but after all the interest of the public is in the goods made and placed before them, rather than in the manner of preparing the materials or in the finishing of them. Yet it does happen that even men in the jewelry line send plated goods to the factory to have them re-plated, which cannot be done. The plate wears off and leaves only the base metal ; for instance, the joints of a curb chain will wear, and when they do and the solder appears, it reminds one of seams in a well-worn garment, where the dust has settled and given the line of the sewing prominence. So there is nothing to do but to buy a new chain; and if the old one is sent back all that can be done with it is to throw it into the scraps, then it goes to the refiner and what gold is left comes back to the manufacturer to be again made into new designs.

As with a garment, so also with jewelry. In buying articles of personal adornment it is just as essential to be sure of the reliability of the manufacturer as in buying a fine coat, for both are purchased largely upon the representations of the producer and dealer, for while the purchaser may be pleased with the general effect, he cannot always tell whether the garment be all of wool, or whether the jeweler's product be gold or baser metal. The productions of this house have gained a permanent place in the confidence of purchasers and dealers, and their sales are constantly extending to wider and more distant markets are recognition of this fact. Their rolled plate goods are intended to be the most perfect, to answer all desirable purposes, that can be produced, giving the richest effects possible to the jeweler's art, with a proper thickness of plate to give them great wearing qualities, withal at a cost so reasonable as to allow of ladies or gentlemen making an addition to their jewel case by an occasional purchase without great outlay.

The great consumption of plated goods furnishes the factories with trade, employing a great deal of skilled labor, to which liberal wages are paid. The firm of Hamilton & Hamilton, Jr., makes a very high class of goods, employing from eighty to two hundred artisans, and have established an enviable reputation in the trade. Their New York office is at No. 176 Broadway, and their trade embraces the United States, and the Canadas, South America and Australia.

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posted 06-07-2013 02:41 PM            

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Demise of Ralph Spence Hamilton.
Providence, RI., Feb.3.

Again has the grim reaper invaded the ranks of the manufacturing jewelers of this city and taken from among them another of the old and honored members. Ralph Spence Hamilton, senior member of Hamilton & Hamilton Jr., died at the residence of his son, Ralph Hamilton, Jr., at the corner of Washington and Jackson St., early Tuesday evening, after a short illness.

Mr. Hamilton contracted a severe cold about a fortnight ago. and on Sunday, Jan. 22, his physician was called. On Friday last the cold developed into bronchial pneumonia. At the time he was first taken ill his son, Ralph S., Jr.. was absent in New York on business for the concern, and the deceased attended to the office duties until Friday morning, the 27th ult., when, not being able to leave his room, his son was telegraphed for and he arrived home that evening, The case looking serious, Robert M. Hamilton, the second son, was telegraphed for at Pittsburgh. He arrived home Sunday morning. At that time the doctors believed that Mr. Hamilton could not recover. On Sunday there was apparently a marked improvement in Mr. Hamilton's condition and he continued to apparently rally during Monday. Monday night, however, he was quite restless, and Tuesday morning his condition became aggravated and he continued to grow rapidly worse until late in the afternoon when he sank into a sleep and died at five minutes past six.

The deceased was born in St. Louis, Mo., June 14, 1829. When quite young his parents movi d to New Orleans, where he received the primary foundation of his education. At the age of nine years he accompanied his parents to Jamaica, where his father became interested in the cultivation of sugar and owned an extensive plantation. Here Mr. Hamilton remained until he was about 16 years old, when he started out in life for himself. He went to New York and apprenticed himself to learn the jewelry business. He adopted this pursuit from the interest which had been manifested in watching the native Indians of Jamaica fashion ear-rings and other trinkets out of metal by the crude method of hammering. Having concluded his apprenticeship, he went to Attleboro sometime early in, the sixties, where he engaged in business for himself. In 1870 he removed to this city and with J. Hunt formed the well-known concern of that period, Hamilton & Hunt, which began the manufacturing business on a small scale on Potter St. The business however, grew rapidly and new and larger quarters had to be obtained, and the firm removed to 226 Eddy St., where it remained for more than a decade.

The firm of Hamilton & Hunt was dissolved by mutual consent early in 1883, and on July 10 of that year the firm of Hamilton & Hamilton, Jr., was organized, Mr. Hamilton taking his eldest son, Ralph S., Jr., into partnership with him. The business of the concern steadily increased, so that when the Enterprise Building wal erected in the Spring of 1888 upon the site of the old buildings destroyed by fire on Eddy, Union and Fountain St., the factory was removed thereto in order to obtain necessary room.

The deceased never took ad active part in politics, although he was prominently identified with several of the leading social organizations of the city. He wal a member of the First Light Infantry Regiment, and a member of the veteran organization of that command. He also belonged to the West Side and Pomham Clubs, the Manufacturing Jewelers' Board of Trade, the New England Manufacturing Jewelers' Association and the New York Jewelers' Board of Trade. He leaves a family of two sons and one daughter, Ralph S. and Robert M., and Mrs. George Truman, of Oswego, N. Y. His wife died about nine years ago.

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PROVIDENCE, R. I., Feb. 5.
The funeral of the late Ralph S. Hamilton was solemnized at noon Friday from his son's residence, Rev. James G. Vose. of the Beneficent Congregational Church, officiating. The obsequies were attended by a large number of relatives and friends and local and business associates. The floral tributes were handsome and elaborate, among the more noticeable being a standing cross, anchor and gates ajar from the family; standing cross and pillow, from manufacturing jewelry associates; broken column from the employees of Hamilton & Hamilton. Jr.; large baskets of calia lilies and roses from the Manufacturing Jewelers' Board of Trade; wreath from the Pomham Club, and a pillow and reclining anchor from the Welt Side Club. The burial took place at Swan Point cemetery, the bearers being George W. Williams, Walter S. Hough, Fred. D. Farwell, Gen. Charles R. Dennis, L. H. Tillinghast and John Heathcote.

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posted 08-02-2013 05:30 PM            

Thank you for any hell.

posted 08-06-2013 07:09 AM            

I forgot to mention it was a friend of mine who had a pin she wanted me to ID if possible the mark. She described the mark to me. She had gotten it a number of years ago. When she described the mark I recalled this thread about Hamilton. I got to see it this weekend & it does appear to be a copywrite symbol then the H&H, and sterling written underneath. It's a very small pin of a basket of tulips, nicely detailed however. Although she lives in NJ she has a summer home in Vermont. She does not recall where she got it however.
Do you think this is could be the mark of Hamilton? It just seems the time frame is, in my mind in question.
I wonder if there is a catalogue around somewhere of their goods.

posted 08-17-2013 05:52 PM            

I have the photos ( the mark did not come out very well but the pin did. Now I have to figure out how to get it up.
Right now I am very busy for the next 2weeks or so, but as soon as I can to a friend to help me with it I will get it to you. Too bad I can't just email it.

posted 08-18-2013 11:16 PM            

If so, it was made by Hand & Hammer.